On the outcomes of the IVth Forum of Parliamentarians of the EAG Member States

On May 28, 2025, the IV Forum of Parliamentarians of the EAG Member States took place on the margins of the 42nd EAG Plenary, with the participation of parliamentarians and heads of delegations of the Member States, as well as delegations from the Islamic Republic of Iran, the United Arab Emirates, the Republic of Indonesia, the Secretariats of the FATF, ESAAMLG, MENAFATF, GIABA, UNOCT, and the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly.

Participants shared experiences on preparations for the upcoming round of mutual evaluations and the legislative implementation of the revised FATF Recommendations. This included discussions on the confiscation of criminal property and property of equivalent value, and on strengthening international cooperation on the mutual legal assistance in identifying, confiscating and recovering criminal assets from abroad.

At the event, participants emphasised the importance of close cooperation between legislative and executive authorities in the practical implementation of the Standards to successfully complete forthcoming mutual evaluations.

Speakers focused on the rapidly changing shadow financial services sector, where criminal funds were laundered, and shared their experiences of countering negative trends in the financial market.

Parliamentarians discussed various forms of interaction between financial intelligence units and legislative authorities, including regular reports from FIU Heads.

Delegations of the EAG Observer States presented information on practices for preparing for the new round of mutual evaluations. International organisations presented their experience in developing guidelines for implementing international conventions and model legal acts on AML/CFT/CFT.

The FATF Secretariat representative highlighted that the focus of the Forum on getting ready for the new round of evaluations was timely. He noted that the round will be more risk-based and focused on effective implementation of the FATF Standards, including by providing a roadmap to countries to drive the necessary reforms in tackling ML/TF/PF.

Forum participants approved the Declaration of the Outcomes, which included statements on the importance of developing a legal framework for international cooperation between the competent authorities of EAG Member States, as well as the need for the consistent transformation of national legislation to mitigate identified risks and to implement revised international AML/CFT/CFT Standards.

DECLARATION OF THE OUTCOMES
OF THE IV FORUM OF PARLIAMENTARIANS OF THE MEMBER STATES OF THE EURASIAN GROUP ON COMBATING MONEY LAUNDERING AND FINANCING OF TERRORISM

The participants of the IV Forum of Parliamentarians welcome the efforts of the Eurasian Group on Combating Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing (EAG) Member States to prepare for the third round of mutual evaluations, including the improvement of anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing legislation. The revision of the international standards on anti-money laundering, terrorist financing, and financing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction requires EAG member states to implement relevant legislation prior to the mutual evaluations.

The flow of criminal property and proceeds across borders to other states is one of the current challenges for regional countries. The involvement of virtual assets in this process reduces the ability of national competent authorities to freeze and seize them in a timely manner.

In these circumstances, the Forum of Parliamentarians recognises the importance of developing a legal framework for international cooperation between the competent authorities of EAG Member States regarding mutual legal assistance, and the execution of requests for the identification, monitoring, assessment, investigation, freezing, seizure and confiscation of criminal property and proceeds and property of corresponding value. This could be achieved through the introduction of appropriate legal instruments.

Participants in the Parliamentary Forum also acknowledge the importance of enhancing the legal framework for virtual assets to prevent their misuse for criminal activities, such as concealing the origin of illicit funds and facilitating their cross-border flow.

Forum participants confirmed the need for consistent transformation of national legislation, taking into account identified risks, in order to reduce them and implement updated standards for anti-money laundering, counter-terrorist financing and countering the financing of weapons of mass destruction proliferation.